Among all qualified receivers with at least 50 games played since 2008, Malcom Floyd leads the league with an 18.5-yards-per-catch average. But he’s also missed nine games the past two years. Earnie Grafton • U-T

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Among all qualified receivers with at least 50 games played since 2008, Malcom Floyd leads the league with an 18.5-yards-per-catch average. But he’s also missed nine games the past two years. Earnie Grafton • U-T

Chargers fans lined down Murphy Canyon Road in the hundreds Saturday, awaiting the first public practice of training camp.

Most probably didn’t, it’s fair to say, come to specifically see Malcom Floyd, a known commodity in these parts.

But of the team’s wide receivers, he’s been the one consistently putting on the show.

In case anyone needed a reminder, the first week of camp has given one: Floyd and QB Philip Rivers have a chemistry that predates by several years any of the four veteran additions made this offseason at the position.

And then there’s the athleticism, the daily circus show of end-zone acrobatics, that a healthy Floyd so routinely brings.

“Malcom being Malcom,” as Rivers likes to call it.

Health, of course, is the caveat for the 30-year-old Floyd, who’s entering his ninth season. It’s the qualifier that comes before or after any praise sent his way.

But when healthy ...

In the past 16 games in which Floyd played more than 35 snaps, he caught 63 passes for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns. Among all qualified wide receivers with at least 50 games played since 2008, Floyd leads the NFL with 18.5 yards per catch.

“To me, he’s probably the most underrated receiver in this league,” tight end Antonio Gates said. “I think guys who play against him have more respect for him than the media, than people give him credit for.”

Chargers coach Norv Turner knows what a healthy Floyd can bring.

It’s why he’s such an important player.

Floyd has missed nine games the past two years and played 35 snaps or fewer in five other games.

“I want him to play 16 games and help us get to the playoffs,” Turner said. “If he does that, he’ll be over a 1,000-yard receiver and he’ll be an 80-catch guy.”

As he’s done before, Floyd is working to prepare for a full 16-game season, from extra rest to stretching to salt baths. He also said it’s about knowing his body, when to push and when to pull back on the field.

“Work doesn’t finish here. You got to take care of your body at home,” Floyd said. “It’s all stuff I wish I knew before. It’s good to incorporate it now. It’s making me feel younger. I’m just trying to get out of practice healthy and productive and everything will take care of itself.”